II CORINTHIANS STUDY II CORINTHIANS 2:1-17

Restoring an Errant Brother

As we begin Chapter 2, Paul discusses the deferred visit with the Corinthians in Chapter 1:15-16.  Obviously, Paul’s visit with the Corinthian church would have been painful, a visit that would have grieved the Corinthians and Paul (vv. 1-2).  In short, had Paul visited the Corinthians it would have been a sorrowful occasion.  Paul wanted to come to them in joy, expressing his love for the Corinthians (vv. 3-4).

In understanding verses 5-11, we need to recall the incident or case of incest in the congregation that Paul stated that the Corinthian church neglected to correct.  The gross immorality in the Corinthian church needed to be addressed and straightened out (I Corinthians Chapter 5).  However, the church did obey Paul’s instructions in correcting this matter, for the church excommunicated the errant brother!  As time went by, the errant brother became repentant, and now, Paul is requesting that the Corinthian church would demonstrate love and restore the repentant brother to their fellowship.

It was so imperative that the church restore the errant brother because Satan seeks to divide the fellowship and create tension in the body of Christ!  One of the plots of Satan is to get the congregation to shut its eyes to gross immorality; and on the other hand, Satan seeks to divide the congregation by being so unforgiving!  As believers, we must understand that the devil has many stratagems and he will use them in driving a wedge into our fellowship!

In verses 12-13, Paul mentions the great opportunity of preaching the gospel in Troas, although he was grieved at heart because Titus had not come to bring him word concerning the congregation in Corinth.  Titus eventually met Paul in Philippi and related to Paul that the Corinthian church had resolved the matter with the errant brother, who had repented and turned from his sin.

One of the most sublime verses that tells believers that we are winners is found in verse 14: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.”

As a Roman conqueror would lead his captives in a Roman parade, so from a spiritual perspective, every believer has been captured by Jesus Christ.

As we share the gospel with others, the gospel brings life to those who accept it, judgment to those who do not accept it.  Finally, we are not to corrupt the Word of God or distort it or make merchandise of it, but to give it out in sincerity as the Spirit of God reveals its truth to us (vv. 14-17).

May God Bless!